Philadelphia House Painters

Welcome to our Blog!

We'll offer plenty of useful hints and tips about making your property beautiful. Come back and visit often,

Jan 19, 2009, How to Bring your Walls Alive! Philadelphia House Painters

You'll find that the interior painting ideas presented in this document will serve you well…

Jan 19, 2009, Wall Paper Removal-Philadelphia House Painters

How to remove wallpaper. Easy way to get a fresh wall look. Philadelphia House Painters can help with this.

Jan 19, 2009, Philadelphia_House_Painters_Privacy_Policy

Our privacy policy at Philadelphia House Painters for our visitors.

Jan 19, 2009, Allergic to Latex? Philadelphia House Painters can Help!

Are you allergic to latex? We offer an alternative for your homes interior painting.

Jan 18, 2009, Life Time Paint-Philadelphia House Painters

We offer life time paint as a type of service. Call (215) 964-8505.

Jan 16, 2009, Accent Walls by Philadelphia House Painters

Accent walls are a great way to inject some added color and personality into a room.

They can also be used to help break up open plan living spaces or to highlight a particular aspect of a room.

However, there are some tips and tricks out there to help you take your accent wall and turn it into a real work of art – something to catch the eye.

Choosing the Wall

It is important to choose the right wall to turn into an accent.

You want to choose a wall that is as close to being solid as possible, that is, not having windows or doors.

If you have an architectural element such as a fireplace or a staircase that you wish to highlight, this may be an appropriate place for an accent wall.

Also, smaller walls are generally better than larger ones. Larger walls, if made into an accent, can tend to dominate a space rather than accentuate it.

Walk into the room to see which wall immediately grabs attention – this is generally a great way to see where an accent wall would have the most effect.

If this is not possible, try to have a look at a plan of the room and see if you can select a wall from there. An interior decorator will also be able to help you.

The Right Color

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to color and personal choice is a major determining factor.

However, if you are having trouble deciding, take a look at your existing furniture and other elements of your home dιcor.

This can help you pick a color that will tie in with what you already have.

Try and choose a color that is a subtler element of your dιcor – there is no point choosing a red feature wall if you have a red lounge and a red rug!

Other Finishes

You do not have to stick to a solid color in your accent wall – experiment!

Try using stripes of color or paint with a special finish such as metallic, suede, pearl etc.

Wallpaper is also making a return and it is a great way to add patterns or texture to the room without the potential to overwhelm it.

Other textured finishes you could try include render or even cladding with materials such as timber.

Jan 14, 2009, Budget Inexpensive Decorating Tips

Paint is an affordable and simple way to instantly update a space without spending a fortune. A freshly painted room is bright and clean while a recently painted piece of furniture feels new again.

Keep reading to learn 5 different ways you can use paint as an inexpensive redecorating tool.

1. Painting Walls

It's basic, yet painting a wall is the easiest way to get maximum impact for minimal cost. When updating a space, opt for either a neutral color or one that fits in with your existing color palette.

Remember, you can always ask for samples or purchase a small can of paint if you want to take a few colors home and try them out on your wall before you commit.

2. Painting Ceilings

A fresh coat of white ceiling paint will instantly make a room feel bigger and brighter. Say goodbye to dingy, yellowing, cracked ceilings and hello to a room that feels taller and more alive.

If you're painting a textured ceiling, expect to use 15-20 percent more paint than you would for a flat wall of the same dimensions.

3. Painting Your Front Door

Brighten up your house with a new, red door. Start by removing the door off its hinges and taking off all the hardware. Use masking tape to cover the hinges and any glass. Then, paint away. Be sure to use an outdoor-graded paint for any outside doors.

4. Updating Cabinetry

If you can't afford to install all new cabinetry in your kitchen, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders. Start by figuring out if your cabinets have been painted before and if so, what kind of paint was used. If the previous owners used an oil-based paint, you'll need to use an oil primer.

Start the project by removing all the doors, drawers and hardware. Then, give all the pieces a thorough cleaning and possible sanding. Next, apply two or three coats of primer. Remember, your cabinets get banged around every day so you want a paint job that's tough and durable.

Finally, apply a few coats of your paint color with a foam roller and then use a paint brush to spread the paint and give your cupboards an even finish.

5. Refinishing Outdoor Furniture

It's easy to instantly update outdoor furniture with little more than a can of spray paint. Plastic, wicker and bamboo patio furniture can all be sprayed with the right type of paint.

So, don't throw away that old patio set - paint it!

Contact us now and let us help you start your project.

Call Jim Tyler (215) 964-8505

© Copyright 2008 and in perpetuity PHILADELPHIA-HOUSE-PAINTERS All Rights Reserved.

Jan 10, 2009, Eco-Green Friendly House Painting

Philadelphia area homeowners can now breathe more easier

Chances are, you already know that the air inside your home can be 5 to 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution, even if you live in a city.

And although the contamination cannot be attributable to any single source, the interior paint you choose plays a significant role inside a typical home.

Many mass produced paints contain solvents, toxic metals and volatile organic compounds or VOCs, that contribute to smog, ozone depletion and poor indoor air quality. You can smell these unhealthy fumes in a freshly painted room, yet what you can't smell is the off-gasing releases that can continue for up to 5 years from all painted surfaces.

Young children, elderly or chemically sensitive people are particularly susceptible to these gases.

So, if indoor air quality and health are your number one priority, then "green" paint alternatives should be your choice.

Basically, you have only 3 options to choose from, and which one you pick will depend on how much you are willing to compromise in terms of paint performance, durability and color selection in order to breathe easier:

1. Zero-VOC paints

PROs:

• Can be purchased in most major paint stores

• Wide range of color choices

• Easy to apply

• Come in flat, satin or gloss finishes

• Durable

CONs:

• Still contain a low level of VOCs and other toxic ingredients - but under 10g/l, which is as good as it can get with the larger paint companies (compared to 5-10% VOCs in regular water-based and 40-60% in solvent-based paints)

• Darker colors contain more VOCs than lighter ones

2. Clay paints

PROs:

• Contain soy, water, mineral pigments and plant-based ingredients

• Biodegradable

• Readily adhere to most interior surfaces

• Work as odor-absorber

• Suede-like finish

CONs:

• Fewer color choices - mostly earth-tones

• Difficult to apply

• Cannot be washed, scrubbed or wiped down

• Available only in a matte finish

• May require a protective sealer-topcoat for durability

3. Milk paints

PROs:

• Contain only safe, natural ingredients

• The best choice for pregnant women, newborn babies and people with allergies, asthma, or multiple chemical sensitivities

• Organic and completely biodegradable - the most environmentally benign paint you can find

CONs:

• Limited color choices

• Sold in a powdered form and must be mixed before use

• Come in a matte finish only

• Produce a somewhat uneven/distressed type of finish

• May require a protective sealer-topcoat for durability

We eat, sleep, play and work indoors - yet now you can make a healthier choice when it comes to selecting paint for your next project.

Do you have a question about green house painting?

Need a quote for house paintingin the Philadelphia area?

Call me@ (215) 964-8505

Jim Tyler (aka “The Go Crew”)

C’ (215) 964-8505F’ (440) 809-7589

Jan 10, 2009, Which Level of Paint Sheen Should I use?

Explanation of paint sheen

Are you confused about which paint sheen level to use in which room, or which will be the most durable for your project?

This guide will show you the advantages and disadvantages of paint sheen along with what sheen to use in which room.

Flat -- A matte finish that provides a dead flat sheen.

Advantages

• Excellent touch-up ability

• Provides a dull, soft look

• Hides imperfections

Disadvantages

• Typically not washable, premium quality flat finishes may have washable characteristics

Eggshell (Velvet) -- A very dull finish with a slight angular sheen.

Advantages

• Low sheen, yet washable

• Looks flat but has an angular sheen

• Good touch-up qualities

Disadvantages

• Not as washable as paints with higher shine

Satin -- An enamel finish with a medium amount of shine.

Advantages

• Very washable

• Great for trim work and doors

• Good for bathroom and utility rooms

Disadvantages

• Poor touch-up

• Magnifies imperfections on walls

Semi-gloss -- A glossy finish used for high-traffic areas.

Advantages

• Great wash-ability

Disadvantages

• Poor touch-up

• Magnifies imperfections more than satin on walls

Full Gloss -- The shiniest paint sheen available. Used on products that need superior protection.

Advantages

• Great for high-traffic areas

• For use in schools, doctors offices

• Can be used on floors and counter tops

Disadvantages

• Very shiny, not intended for walls

Sheen by room (walls)

Kitchen -- Satin or semi-gloss

Dining Room -- Flat or eggshell

Bathroom -- Satin or semi-gloss

Bedrooms -- Flat or eggshell

Hallway -- Flat

Basement -- Flat or waterproofing paint

Ceilings -- Flat

Trim work & doors -- Satin